Speed reduction unit



D. F. PRZYBYLSKI SPEED REDUCTION UNIT Jan. 1, 1952' 7 SheetS-Shet l Filed May l, 1950 FIG. I

JNVENTo DANIEL F. PRZYBYLSKI BY ATTORNEY Jan'- 1', 1952 D. F. PRZYBYLSK] 2,580,955

SPEED REDucTIoN UNIT Filed May l, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gry 92 FIG. 2 5, 48

INVENTOR. VDANIEL F, PRZYBYLSKI ATTORNEY Jan. 1, 1952 D. F. PRzYBYLsKl SPEED REDucTIoN UNIT 7 Sheet's-Sheei' 3 Filed May l, 1950 n28 TEETH l2 TEETH INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Jan. l, 1952 D. F. PRzYBYLsKl SPEED REDUcTloN UNIT Filed May l, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 H T F- E T 7 m JNVENToR. DANlEL F. PRzYBYLsKl BY AT'roRNEY Jan- 1, 1952 D. F. PRzYBYLsKl I 2.530,955

' SPEED REDUcTIoN UNIT Filed May l, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. DANIEL F. PRZYBYLSKI BY /VM'Y ATTORN' EY D. F. PRzYBYLsKl SPEED REDUcTIoN UNIT Jan. 1, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed May l, 1950 INVENTOR. 'EL F. PRzYBYLsKl DAN BY ATTORNEY Jan. 1, 1952 D. F. PRZYBYLSKI SPEED REDUCTION UNIT 7 Sheet's-Sheet 7 File May 1, 1950 FIG. 9

.H M S T L N Y E B VY mm. P F. L E. m D v.. B

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 1, 1952 *UNI TED S TATE S PAT'ENT 'O FFI CE I'a'ssoss :SPEDRDUCTION UNIT :Daniel F. Przybylski, Winona, Application-May 1, 1950,`Seial`Nfi159f2i3 15 Glaims.

My present lnvention relates ftofimprovement's in 'speed or' gear reduotion units.

'I'hisfi'inven'tion is intended Mfor general `yusez'ai'ld is especially Well adapted -or embodiment =in a con-ventional tractor.

It is well Vknown that certain =trac'to'r-ope'r'ated 'orfdrawn implements or machines, for -insta'nce, 'a ftrencher, must be operated fiat "a l'g'reatl-y reduced vspeed `from that deli-Vered fby a conventional ftractor.

'The pr'incip'al 'object of this invention is to'make use of a conventio'nal t'raetorby embodying there- "in -a 'speed reduction unit having ``selective maniia'lltHoperated means, rby cthe 'use of which novel 'gearin'g from the rear faxle to 'one-iof'the 'traction wheels, it is possible to turn 3the *Wheel at 'a 'Very fslow speed.

further 'objeet o`f'rthis1inven`t'ion`is to use 'this manually-operated means for connecting *the wheel directly to the axle,'whereby said wheel will 'be turned at ithe same speed as 'the'axle, `'when 'the 'tractor is travellin'g to land ``from work or V'on the hiig'hway.

Otherrobjeots ofV the invehtion 'will be 'appare'nt from fthe `'following description, reference 'being had to the -drawings w To the above end, the 'invention 'consists of the jnovel devices and cornbinationjof devices'here- 7ina'fter described'and definediin theclaim's.

In the accompanying drawings, which illu'strate ithe inven'tion, like :characters 'indicate like *parts 'lthrou'ghout the'sev'e'ral views.

'Referrin'g 'to 'the drawings:

F'ig. 1 is an outside elevational view of a'tractor 'Wheel and the "speed4reduz`tion unit exposed 'througha'cen'tral lap'ertui'e in the Wheel;

'Fig` '2 is 'a'seetonail view taken on the line '2-[2 'of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale,'onl-y'a fragment "o'f the wheel beingh'own;

3 'and 4 'are views Tprnpally in section `tak-ein on the `1lines 3-3 and LJ `of `f'iiig. 2, 'refspectivelyf w :Lei-e55aviewpartlyiinendeievation and'part- ;lzy .finis'eo'tio'n 'taken -on the line '55-75 'of Fi'g. '2;

A'Fig. 6 'lis Ta ragmentary fdetail View pai'tly in 'end'ielevation 'ana zp'artly in section taken on *the Fline --i ofFigfiZ;

Pig. 7 fis fa (retail pa'rLtIy in end felevation and ;partly 'in section taken'on theline ile-alei Fig. '2;

Eig. 8 v is a fragmentary view partly in end elevation fand ,partl-y section taken ion the .line 'ii- 8 'of ;Flig

v ig-;e ragmentary'viewipartly-:in'pan and in'zsecjtion taken on the .line :az-9 :of 15;' -i211d `on the .ax'le Hi.

Fgal iszan -end vview 'of the'axle and applied collar. `Oneficif "-the'traction 'Wheels vI'l of a standard 'tractor,-`shown 'in Fig. 1, is 'equipped with 'a 'pneu- `matic t'ire 'I 2 and hasa large 'annular'aperture 13 :at the Va'xis thereof. 'The Fbody of the wheel 'surrounding theaperture |3i,is increased in 'thick- 'ness both internall and Vexternall'y, 'as indicated at 1'4, and 'formed 'therein 'is a plur'ality of `'circun'iferentially spac'ed fhol'es lf 'for machine screws. `Cnefen'd portion'f'of the'tractor axle IB is mounted 'in :a `'ro'llerbearing H in-:an axle housing |8, fragmentarily shown. Theodter'endporitio'n of :the "axle 5156 .'zpro'jects 'loutwardly ;through the apertui'e il'l `in Iaxial alignment vwith the 'wheelflii The outer end of 'the saxle Ihou'sing: 'I 8 :is closed by 'a ca-p IB having'an axial Iopening through -whioh'the axle I projects. The inner side of 'the 'cap [9 'is rabbeted 'at 20 tol fit in the 'axle fhousing `l8 -and fb'ears against the outer end of -said housing. This'cap l 9 is'mo'unted on a 'sleev'e bearing "21 on'ithe :ax'le 116 and h'asibeveled fen'd's. The member'of the frol1er`bearing |`1 'on the axle i .'is 'held against relative iaxial movement between said 'bearing fmember and a 'shoulde'r '22 I Theficap |*9 isinte'rnally rabbeted 'at the'axial'holefthereinto'ihold an oil seal 23 and externally 'raiobeted lat :said hole 't'o hold "a packing' 24. Both the oil seal 23 and the packing' are inec'ontact with the s'leeve'loea'ringr 2"|.

'The parts thus fa'r "described are 'common to 'standard 'tractors The speed or "ge'a'r `reduction unit includes an vinner fixed gear support "25 "and 'an outer driven .gearsupport :26. Both 'gear supports 25-25 lare :support 25 -a'refirabbeted'atil for 'inteiilocking en- 'gagementfiby axialmovem'ent ofsaidl'gearsupport relative to the cap I9. Screws 3B exten'd through alignedhols in'the 'fixed gearisuppoi't andithe fcap .1-9 *and h'aN-'e 'threaded enga'gement With the axle housing ta. .'Ifh'e'se screws '39 irig'idly rsecure 'the .fixed :gear 'up'po'rt 325 to 'the 'ax'le housinfg 'i with itne=1cap lfielampeu thereb'etween. `In additi'on 'the fserews 130, the 'c'ap 19 is ifur'ther detaehably secured to the axle housing |8 by a pair of diametrically opposite pins anchored to said housing and extending through holes in the eap |9 and the gear support 25. The purpose of the pins 30' is to align the members |8-l9-25 and to take the torque from the machine screws The inset portion 28 of the xed gear support 25 is further externally rabbeted at the aperture thereinas indicated at 3|, to telescopically receive the opposing portion of the cap |9. The inset portion 28 of the fixed gear support 25 affords a closure for the rabbet eontaining the packing 24.

` The driven gear support 26 includes an end member 32 having an external rabbet 33 in which is mounted the thickened portion |4 of the wheel I Machine screws 34 extend through the holes I5 in thickened portion |4 of the wheel have threaded engagement with the end member 32 and rigidly secure the driven gear support 26 to the wheel The end member 32, at the aperture |3 in the driven gear member 26, is expanded both internally and externally to afford a hub 35. This hub 35 is journaled on the axle |l6 by means of a pair of axially spaced roller bearings 36. The internal annular members of the roller bearings 36 are fltted on the end portions of a long sleeve 31 that are of a reduced diameter. This sleeve 31 is telescoped onto the axle IB and secured for rotation therewith by a pair of diametrically opposite keys 38.

A flat retaining ring 39 is fitted in a rabbet 40 in the outer end of the hub 35 and secured by.

screws 39' to said hub. This retaining ring 39 overlaps the external member of the outer roller bearing 39. A plurality of nut-equipped screw .studs 4| extend transversely through the retaining ring 39 with which they have threaded engagement, impinge the external member of the roller bearing 36 and hold the same against out- Ward axial moxement relative to the axle |6.

A two-part collar 42 on the outer end portion of the axle IG and the housing |8 hold the speed reduction unit against axial movement on the axle IG. The members of the collar 42 are conneeted by a pair of diametrically opposite bolts '43 that frictionally clamp the collar 42 to the axle |6.

A cap 44 normally closes the aperture |3 in the wheel outwardly of the axle IB and the collar 42. This cap 44 has an annular outturned i'lange 45 that bears on the outer end of the hub 35 outwardly of the retaining ring 39. This cap 44 is detachably secured to the hub 35 by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced machine screws 46 that extend through holes in the fiange 45 and have threaded engagement with the hub 35.

The fixed gear support 25 has, integral with its perimeter, an inturned annular body member 41, and an inturned annular body member 48 vis integral with the perimeter of the driven gear support 26. These body members 41 and 48; at their outer end portions, are identical the one with the other and are of the same diameter. The body member 48 is considerably wider tha the body member 41. e

The two body members 41 and 48 are axially spaced apart and interposed 'therebetween is a stationary ring gear 49 having internal teeth 50 and a driven ring gear 5| having internal teeth 52. The internal and external body. diameters .of the ring gear 49-5! and the body members 4 41 and 40 are the same and the gear teeth 50-52 project inwardly of said body members.

The ring gear 49 has 126 teeth, as indicated on Fig. 3, and the ring gear 5| has 127 teeth, as indicated on Fig. 4. In other words, the driven gear 5| has one more tooth than the fixed gear 49 and the teeth 52 are thinner than the teeth 50.

The fixed ring gear 49 issecured to the body member 41 of the stationary gear support 25 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws 53 .that extend through transverse holes in the ring gear 49 and have threaded engagement with the body member 41 of the stationary gear support 25. Theldriven ring gear 5| is secured to the body member 48 of the driven gear support 26 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws 54. These screws 54 extend through transverse holes in the driven ring gear 5| and have threaded engagement with the body member 48 of the driven gear support 26.

Obviously, the gear supports 25-26 -and the ring gears 49-5I form a complete housing 55 between the axle housing IS and the wheel |I.

Within the housing 55 is a pair of diametrically opposite radial arms 56 and 51 integral with a common hub 5B on the axle IB. The hub 53 is held on the axle |6 for rotation therewith by the keys 38, V'but is free to slide axially on said axle, for. a purpose that will presently appear. The arm 56 is bifurcated to provide a pair of prongs 59 having therein axially aligned eyes 60. A short shaft 6| having reduced end portions is mounted in the eyes 60 by means of ball bearings 62. A single pinion 63 is seeured on the shaft 6| for rotation therewith by means of a pair of diametrically opposite keys 64. As shown in Fig. 2, the pinion 63 meshes with the two ring gears 49-5|.

The arm 51 is also bifurcated at its outer end portion to provide a pair of prongs 65 having therein a pair of axially aligned eyes 63. A, short shaft 61 having reduced end portions is mounted in the eyes 66 by means of ball bearings 68. A single pinion 69 on the shaft 61 meshes with the fiXed ring gear 49 and a retarded pinion 10 on the shaft 61 meshes with the driven ring gear 5|, as shown in Fig. 2. In this adjustment of the unit, the wheel is driven from the axle |6 through the gearing above described.

The pinion 69 is secured to the shaft 61 by a pair of diametrically opposite keys 1|' while the retarded pinion 10 is free to turn relative to the shaft 61 and hence the pinion 69.

Four pairs of driving lugs 1| integral with the end members 36 of the driven gear support 26 on the inner side thereof are circumferentially spaced ninety degrees apart. The lugs 1| of each pair are cireumferentially spaced apart to receive one of the arms 56-51 therebetween with a working clearance. By sliding the hub 56 axially on the axle |6, toward the wheel the arms 56-51 carried thereby will be projected between the lugs 1| of one of the diametrically opposite pairs. Obviously, the arms 56-51 and the lugs 1| afford clutch means that directly connect the wheel to the axle |6 to be turned thereby at the same speed while the tractor is travelling on a highway or to and from work in a field.

At the time the arms 56-51- are being moved for interlocking engagement with certain of the with stationary gear' 49, while remaining in mesh auemea and will also slide the pinion 10 into mosh with .the :timi-Men 'gear :51. The objieot ofipr-oviding diametrioally v;onposite jpinions :that mesh with the gears 49-15] to equa-hze the terqne the xle 1116. v

"Ellhe fpinions :643, :69 ,'lj' nach 'have tweve teeth, :indieate'd :on 'fithe sheet :oontainijng Eig.. 12.' Gn fthis fisamesheet; :it :is inoted that'the "'stationary :gear ;M ihas one hundred vand :twentyh six teethywhile fthe drivengear `51| has ronefhun;

'dred :and twenty-'seven fteeth. `This difference fin' .the numbierofiteeth :on the gears fEi- I "will advance therdrivenfgear fi'relative tothe stationary gear 49 f'for each rotation of .the eaxle HS 'and the ar'ms 56-55! Ithe fdistan'ce vequal to :the distance .from the feenter of one .tooth to the center of theinext to'ot'h` 'The additional tooth on th'eJgear fl "will advance :the `wheel in :proporti'on 'to .the diameter of 'the gears "4 9-35 and 'the :diameter :of .the ".tire L2. 'In :other Words, 'two fradial :"Iines `extendinig'ifrom ;the raxis 'of the axle L6 'and '-passingthrough fithe rcenters of two adjacentiteeth of the drfiven Igear 15] 'will indicate therstep ofirotary movement vof the iwh'eel 3| 1 where the ftwo radial lines .intersect `the :tread :of the tire 5]?2. ilt will thus ib'e seen 'that when the 'Wheel =`|`l fis turned by the gearing ;from the 'axle l-I36, that thertractor 'will lbe moved fat :a very .slow ;speed relativeto *that of `the'ax'le 1-15, which :is fessential When the tractor is drawing an implement or .a machine, Toriinstance, ra tren'cher, 'that :must be moved very vslowly `while `-performing :its work.

-is one-*means of :slidin'g f-ithe :hub '58m1 the axle 111i, I :provide an endwlise n'iovable rod T2 'that fis parallel 'to vand above the axle 116, zand lis operate'd 'lzy-e, shipperflever 1:3 a't'the'rear of the unit. "The lrod `'.'2:extends through abore in the =end member 127 o'f the stationa'ry gear support 25, a naoking 15 in fth'e enlarged :outerfend portion Iof 'the 'bore 2M and sa' packing nut 'i Thavng internal screW-threaded engagement 'with :said end vmember. "Ifhe 1ro'd'll-2 is 'turther held :and guided for 'straight-line fendwise sliding movement by fan intermediate =bearing 'H and =a lbrake't T18 sefcured by machine fiscrews "T9 ftothe 'fenl member T'2*1 'of the fstationary gear support 125. The shipper lever 2'3 is -intermediately 'pi-voted at Ifl''filzo'th'e bracleet 'l-'an'd 'is1pivota1ly'attached alt its inner end-;fnortion to the ou'ter end portion 'of the 'rod Tby 'a nntequippe. *bolt 81|. 1This bolt `-8il 'exvtenl's through 'a *bore in 'the 'rod 'T2 and 'a lsl'iort zlonjg'itudinall'ly extended slot `I'82 in 'the "lever 11-3.

se shipper'yoke 83 'is removably 'mounte 'on the inner 'end of the rod '12 and held LLthereon zby "a i "screw "81'4. This shipper yoke "83 'extends into 'an =annular channel '85 in 'the rear end portion of i the "hub '5a :and rstra'ddles 'said "hub. The hub 58 is yieldingy il'eld'in its two extreme jpositionson "the "ax'le I 8 by .a `frirti'on 'ball *8B *that extends into am *inner notdh 81, *as shown `'on the "drawings. Whenthe'shipperyoke 83 is 'operate *to moveithe hb 5B ltoward .the wheel H :to :intenl'ock :theamns 56 51 with one ;of the ,diametrically :opposite pairs :of :driving 'lugs EH, the 'ball :86 'enters 'zan outer notch :8.8 in'the frod 72 and zpositions ;the hub 58 'With :arms 56-z5$l interlockecl with oneof the diametrically opposite pairs-of .lugs -1:l.. The ball 181i .ismounted in 'a'deep external eavity ``89 in 'the -beaning 1 'the axis ;of |which is `perpendicular :to the axisfof the xrod 12.. This cavityf89 at ;its outer'end -is normally closed :by a -tapered screw iplugfi). A .coiled :spring '9| is compressed between the :ball i8| :and the screw plug 9B land. yielding'ly holds said :ball against the 'rod 12.

.Three oil ring-s 92 ;of felt or other :absorbent material-are ;mennted in transversely YYspaced anmilar zohannels :93 .in the ;peripnery of the `driven gearfi. ;A'divided annula'r 'band94 encircles .the two ,gears 4B fand 50, .affords .a covering `for 'the ;joint .between the :gears 49-511 :and 'the oil. rings; and Ttheend ;portionst ereofeare turnedr-outwardly ;toaiord 'apair-'of ears 95. The .band 94 is :detachably 'se'sured 'to the ;stationary '-geafir 4:9 by ra plura'lity :of machine 'screws :9,6 :and :the :ears 95, inthe 'plane of drixzing gear "Ei'l .are connected byfazserew 93.

The word *fa-xle isherein used in a broad sense to oover -arshaft i The drawings illustrate a commercial form of the 'inventiom :butit `Will be understood that'the same' is capable 'of certain .zmodifi'cations `as vto details 'of construction, arrangement and 'combination of parts *'withinlthe'zscope of the invene tion .'herein disclosed.

'WhatrI vclaim ist' 1.2111 a ;unit .of the elass xdescribed, za :driven axle, '-wheel, clutch means fixefti relative to the wheel for driving the'samefa `Vfi'xed gear, :a driven gear journaled on the .axle 'and vsecured to the wheel Ior turning the same, said wheel and ;gears being 'in taxialalgnment With the axle, a .radial arm on the axle held for rotation ftherewith but free for axial sliding movement thereon, `means for sliding the arm on .the axle into interlocking engagement 'with the :clutoh means to 'turn the wheel directly from the ;drivenza'xle fat the 'same speed, 'a'pini'on journaled on'the arm andzmeshing with :the driven gear, :said ;arm-sliding means being :operable to :slide the arm on the axle to `disengage :the ffrom 'the vclutch vmeans 'and move 'the :pinion into `mesh with :the :fixed gear while remaining ;in 'mesh with :the 'driven .gear :for :inireotly 'turning :the 'iwheel from 'the dr'iven zaxle, the teeth of :the gears 'and 'the Vnin'on being constructed and fa'rrangedto turn 'the 'Wheelatamateria'l'ly slower `speed than :that :of the rlriven axle.

L2. 1In a 1unit iof *the :class flescribed, a :ven anie, a '-Wheel, clntch means Vfi-xed 'relative to ;the wheelffordrivingfthe same, laffixe gear, a driven gear journaleion 'the axle 'and secured to the Wheel for turning thegsamefsaid wheelan'd gears being in axial fialignment 'With'the .fax1e, :a ,pair loi' ,aligne f'dliametrieaily -Lopnosite radial having a common ihb he'ldon'fthe ;axl'erfor rota- -tion therewth but ffre'e'ffl'or laxia'l s'lid'ing :movelmen't thereon, means ftor vs'li'ding th'e`hr1bzon'1the 'axle to 'move atfleas'tnneof the :arms :into inter" looking -Iengag'ement with -the xzlutoh .means to 'turn the "wheel directly Jfrom :the riven-"axzle at 'the same speed, :a Vpinion -journaled fon -eac'h -of 'the arms iand mesh-ing With the L(iriven agear, and means `for qslidir-raine hub Afon the 'anie to ,disen'l' gage 'the `arm V'rrfnn'the'j'f'zluteh, 'said -arm'-s1iding means 'being f'operahle to 'slide h-b on thel` a'ile to move the 'nnionsv 'into inesh 'withf'the-fixeeear atsdoss While one thereof remains in mesh with the driven gear for indirectly turning the wheel from the driven axle, the teeth of the gears and the pinions being constructed and arranged to turn the wheel at a materially slower speed than that of the driven axle.

3. In a unit of the class described, a driven axle, a wheel, clutch means fixed relative to the wheel for driving the same, a fixed gear, a driven gear .journaled on the 'axle and secured to the wheel for turning the same, said wheel and gears being in axial alignment with the axle, a pair of aligned diametrically opposite arms having a common hub secured to the axle for rotation therewith but free for axial sliding movement thereon, means for sliding the hub on the axle to move the arms into interlocking engagement with the clutch means to turn the wheel directly from the driven axle at the same speed, a wide pinion journaled on one of the arms and meshing with the driven gear, a small pinion and'an advanced pinion journaled on the other arm' for independent turning movements, the former being in mesh with the driven gear and the latter out of mesh therewith, said arm-sliding means being operable to slide the hub on the axle to disengage the arms from the clutch means and move the wide pinion into mesh with the fixed gear while remaining in mesh With the driven gear, for moving the small pinion out of mesh with the driven gear and into mesh with the fixed gear and for moving the advanced pinion into mesh with the driven gear for indirectly driving the wheel from the driven axle, the teeth of the gears and the pinions being constructed and arranged to turn the wheel at a materially slower speed than thatof the driven axle.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 in which the clutch means is a plurality of pairs of circumferentially spaced lugs between the members of which the arms project.

5. In a unit of the class desoribed, a driven axle, a wheel, clutch means fixed relative to the wheel for driving the same, a fixed gear, a driven gear journaled on the driven axle and secured to the wheel for turning the same, said Wheel and gears being in axial alignment with the axle, said driven gear having one tooth more than the fixed gear, a radial arm on the axle held for rotation therewith but free for axial sliding movement thereon, means for sliding the arm on the axle to move the arm into interlocking engagement With the clutch means to yturn the wheel directly from the driven axle at the same speed, a pinion journaled on the arm and meshing with the driven gear, said arm-sliding means being operable to slide the arm on the axle to disengage the same from the clutch means and move the pinion into mesh with the fixed gear while remaining in mesh with the driven gear for indirectly turning the wheel from the driven axle.

6. The 'structure defined in claim 5 in which the pitch of theeteeth o f the driven gear is less thanthat of the teeth of the fixed gear.

7. In a unit of the class described, a driven axle, a Wheel, clutch means fixed relative to the wheel for driving the same, a fixed gear, a .driven gear journaled on the axle and secured to the wheel for turning the same, said Wheel and gears being in axial alignment with the axle, said driven gear having one tooth more than the fixed gear, a pair of aligned diametrically opposite radlal arms having a common hub on the axle held for rotation therewith .but free'for axialV sliding movement thereon, means forsliding the hub on the axle to move the arms into interlocking engagement with the clutch means to turn the wheel directly from the axle at the same speed, a wide pinion journaled on one of the arms and meshing with the driven gear, a pinion journaled on the other arm land meshing with the driven gear, said armsliding means being operable to slide the hub on the axle to disengage the arms from the clutch means and move the pinions into mesh with the fixed gear while the wide pinion remains in mesh with the driven gear to turn the wheel indirectly from the driven axle at a greatly reduced speed.

8. The structure defined in claim 57, further including a diametrically opp'csite counterbalance on the arm.

9. In a unit of the class described, a driven axle, 'a wheel, a fixed inner gear support through which the axle extends, an outer driven gear support journaled on the axle and secured to the wheel for turning the same, clutch means on the driven gear support, said gear supports having on their perimeters annular body members concentric with the axle, an annular fixed ring gear and an annular driven ring-gear interposed between the body members and rigidly secured, the former to the body member of the fixed gear support and the latter to the driven gear support, said driven gear having one tooth more than the fixed gear. an arm on the laxle .held for rotation therewith but free for axial sliding movement thereon, means for sliding the arm on the axle to move the arm into interlocking engagement with the clutch means to turn the Wheel directly from -the driven axle at the same speed, a pinion journaled on the arm and meshingv with the driven gear, said arm-sliding means being operable to slide the arm on the axle to disengage it from the clutch means and move the pinion into mesh with the fixed gear while remaining in mesh with the driven gear to indirectly turn the wheel from the driven axle at a greatly reduced speed.

10. The structure defined in claim 9, further including a diametrically oppo'site counterbalance on the arm.

11. The structure defined in claim 9, further including means for holding the fixedV gear support against inward rmovement relative to the axle, and means on the axle for holding the gear supports and the ring gears in assembled relation with a working clearance between the two gears.

12. The structure defined in claim 9, further including an oil-absorbent material on the periphery of the driven gear, and a band encircling both gears, secured to the fixed gear and holding said material in place. i i

13. The structure defined in claim 9 in which the pitch of the teeth on the driven gear is less than that of the teeth on the fixed gear.

14. The structure defined in claim 9 in which |the journal for the driven ring gear includes two axially spaced anti-friction bearings.

15. In a unit of the class descri'bed, an'axle housing, a driven axle journ-aled in the. .housing and extending outwardly thereof, a traction wheel at the outer end of the axle, an inner fixedgear support having a central opening through which the axle projects, said gear support being rigidly secured to the axle housing, a driven gear support having a central opening through which the outer end portion of the axle support prou'ects, said driven gear support being journaled on the axle and rigidly secured to the wheel, said gear supports having body members in opposing relation, a fixed ringgear and 'a driven ring gear interposed between the body member and rigidly 9 o secured, the former to the fixed ring gear and the latter to the driven ring gear, means holding the gear supports and the gears in assembled relation with a working fit between the gears, said driven gear support having on its inner face circumferentially spaced pairs of driving lugs, a pair of aligned diametrically opposite radial arms havng a common hub on ithe axle held for rotation therewith but free for sliding movement thereon, 'means for sliding the hub on the axle to position the arms between members of certain of the driving lugs to turn the wheel directly from the axle at the same speed, a wide pinion journaled on one of ythe arms and meshing with the driven gear, a small pinion and an advanced pinion journaled on the other arm for independent turning movement, said advanced pinion being out of mesh With the driven gear and the small pinion being in mesh with the driven gear, said driven gear having one tooth more than the fixed gear, said arm-sliding means being operable to slide the hub on the axle to disengage the arms from -the driv-'fi ing lugs and move the wide pinion into mesh With the fixed gears While remaining in mesh with the driven gear and for moving the small gear out of mesh with the driven gear and into mesh with the fixed gear and the advanced pinion into mesh with the driven gear lto indirectly turn the wheel from the driven axle at a greatly reduced speed.

DANIEL F. PRZYBYLSKI.

REFERENCES CITED i The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

